All Systems Go For Brass Band Lift Off

From Roman Grove to Leny Fues, Falkirk to Aberfoyle, Killearn to Auchterarder, the players of Callander Brass, a brass band founded in Callander only last August, are all eagerly preparing for their big debut. The band will present their Inaugural Concert in Callander Kirk on Thursday 5th February at 7.30pm. Tickets for this historic event are available from Band members directly or from the Callander Office of the National Park Authority for the bargain price of £5 (£3 for concessions) and sales are going well so far. It is anticipated that a big crowd will be in to support the instrumentalists and their conductor, Ian Milligan, as they present their first ever concert programme.

 

Supporting the brass band will be another newly formed musical group from the town, Callander Strings. Formed by local string instructor, Jean Thewlis, this group of adult players of varying levels of experience should provide a pleasing contrast from the brass content of the concert. Their programme offers a variety of flavours, from show tunes, through traditional melodies into classical pieces.

 

Callander Brass includes player of all ages, from primary school to pensioner and every age between. The playing experience of the band is almost as diverse as the age range. Some of the more experienced players have been blowing off and on for 40 years or more (much more in some cases!) while there is also a good proportion of the band who only started playing in time for the band's first experimental gathering in May 2008. On that occasion, a get together which followed a well attended meeting to gauge interest in the possibility of forming a band in the town, 25 instruments were begged borrowed but not quite stolen, to form a rudimentary but enthusiastic ensemble. The concert on Thursday night should feature 31 players, all of whom have attended faithfully the weekly practices which started in August. Performance practice was gained by most of the band during 10 public engagements during the Festive Period, when such luminaries as Provost Fergus Wood were suitably impressed by their playing. However, this concert will be the first time many of the players on display will be performing to a ticket paying audience. Friends and families are expected to provide a supportive environment, but there are sure to be a few butterflies in the hall as the band tunes up. The brass programme for the evening promises to provide something for everyone, listening public and players alike. With traditional brass band marches to a hymn tune, Latin American favourites to light operetta, The Muppets to Mozart, it should be a feast of music.

 

Callander Brass will resume their normal practice schedule on Thursday 12th February, meeting at 7.30pm in the Dance Studio of the McLaren Community Leisure Centre. With several new players staring recently it is also proposed that a Training Band will start on that evening, beginning at 6.30pm in the Dance Studio. Some of the more experienced players have already agreed to come along to help out with this ensemble, aiming to provide encouragement for those who have started playing but not yet become part of the full band with a selection of accessible music to work on. Callander Brass has an open access policy for anyone interested in taking up a brass instrument. We would welcome any further new players wishing to start playing, providing both instrument and instruction to beginners of all ages. We are also always happy to hear from more experienced players living in or visiting the area interested in joining the band. Contact Band Secretary Ken Milligan on 01877 339474, email secretary@callanderbrass.co.uk or visit the website www.callanderbrass.co.uk for more details.

 

 

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